Individual experiences WILL not impede people to try something that many have already experienced and have dealt with. If I were to purchase a vehicle that requires maintenance, I would look for one that does not require "expert mechanics" trained in the the place where the car was designed or trying to obtain "repairs from mechanics that are not related to a dealer."
With all due respect, there are people who are into masochism, when it comes to repair. In my experience, it would suck to take the car to shop for things that COMMONLY should not require oversight, like that window quickble that someone was pointing to.
Regardless of how boring a car is, it is more unnerving to be seated in a non dealer mechanic shop, keeping one's finger crossed that the repair will not be overtly expensive, nor praying that it is not the 3rd time something needs replacement. It stinks to purchase a car that eats away not only my wallet, but my time, which could be better spent doing something else, like relaxing or listening to music.
Sure, there are people who have had 1-3 decent experiences with VWs, but, it seems to me that the overwhelming majority have voted against VW, in terms of satisfaction.
As for me, my experience with a brand new Ford Escort wagon bought in 1996 and sold in 2001, tells me that one should only purchase vehicles that have a reputation of reliability. That Ford began to give me headaches at 44K, with things going south in the engine block. Even a sensor went off, and the dealer had the courage to tell me "at this millage, sensors begin to go south, so expect to replace them..." The engine block that this "100K miles tune up" thing going. I knew it was time to dump the car when that began to happen.
If my Escort was bad, after I read all the complaints about VW, I think I actually have had a reliable car.
My Honda Accord 2001, has cost me around $5000 to run so far. That included some major tune ups, tire replacements, some other core components since I bought it. All work was done in the dealer, but I have had no regrets, the vehicle starts in a brisk and have NEVER needed emergency towing...62K miles so far, with the first 9K within 1 1/2 months of its life, back in June 2001. I would not try that with my older Ford or a VW.
Some families and people have a tendency of keeping certain brands of cars around because they symbolize a certain socio economic status... some of the common ones being Land Rover, VW, SAAB, BMW and MB...It does not mean that they are reliable, just that they are trophy cars<incendiary words for some.
Now about BMWs...ask my brother if he thinks he would purchase another one, after he dumps his 2003 330. His ownership of that car brought him nothing but trouble.
Now, the newer Hyundais have changed quite extensively. The Hyundai Azera in the US, is quite a car that is dirt cheap in the US...costing around 28K in some usable version, while the same car commands easily $40K in the domestic Korean market. The newer Hyundais are a different beast that the older models. Quite competitive with many other traditional Japanese sedans.
GL with your hunt of a VW.
